lkplatow I too am a firm believer in HRT. I had a hysterectomy in my mid 40's. I kept my ovaries. They worked just fine for 2 yrs. At that point they completely stopped and I was in the midst of a meltdown ! Literally looked like I was showering with a hose many times a day. I put up with it for 2 weeks LOL. I called my OB/Gyn and got immediate relief by taking Estratest. All the symptoms I had been having...sleeplessness, anxiety attacks while at work, nightmares , absent libido drenching sweats ...all disappeared within 2 weeks of starting therapy. I am now almost 63 and have never stopped the med ...not for more than a day or two. Due to having had a hysterectomy I would not have been prescribed Premarin. I agree it is not a safe drug. The benefits of my HRT so so so far outweigh any possible side effects that my Dr and I agree it is the best treatment for me. I have regular checkups and mammograms. When I just had my second bone density scan they were amazed once again at my bones. With 100% being the highest I was 130% !! As to the bladder surgery for stress incontinence there is absolutely nothing negative about it if you have a good surgeon. I had it done when I had my hysterectomy. I have never leaked another drop of urine when coughing etc. I had had three 9 1/2 # babies vaginal births with precipitous delivery in two cases....my bladder was SO low it actually had pushed into/through the va&*()$ wall and was hanging down...sorry to be so graphic but that is what happens. The surgery is much better than wearing a pessary. Annie is completely correct in her definitions. The problem with the Kegel , and they are the only thing that works that is non-surgical, is if it has gotten as bad as mine was through the birth process, then surgery is the only way to correct it. A good exam by a competent MD can tell you the state of your bladder etc. There is no cream that will correct this problem . The creams are wonderful for many cases...everyone has to be evaluated and then make a very well considered decision with the assistance of a competent MD. c

I wondered about the caffeine. I, too, am developing frequent UTI's in the last 2 months. I've had three and I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow to talk about it. These UTI's correspond perfectly with a sudden onset of menopausal symptoms including vaginal dryness, insomnia and nightsweats, hot flashes, dry eyes, mood changes, achey joints, etc. I just got done with a 14 day course of Cipro and then it's back again after 1 week. I, also, follow the "rules" wipe front to back, wear cotton crotch panties, drink lots of water, urinate after intercourse, but I still am getting them. I can say for sure that the vaginal dryness with intercourse certainly is a major cause. I'm beginning to feel like pretty soon I won't be able to have intercourse unless I can get this cleared up. That will make both of us very unhappy. Anyway, I'll see the doctor tomorrow and see what she says. Ruby

wow, this is unbelievable! I was looking for help finding some form of natural or herbal HRT. I am 54, done with all the horrible symptoms that come with the end of periods. I have Crohn's disease and had surgery to remove the last of my colon last September. Since my surgery I dehydrate very easily, my skin is very dry and I drink mostly water and lots of it. I thought all of this was the cause of the dryness problem with my vaginal area internally and externally. I am married and sex has become so painful and sometimes not even possible. My GYN put me on Premarin creme and I do not always remember to use it right before bed, every other night. I know you would think I would remember THAT right? The problem is 1st I am kinda scared of the whole "hormone treatment" thing because of cancer. My immune system is practically non-exsistent. 2ndly my Crohn's keeps me busy with medicating myself to prevent constant diarrhea, bloating, etc. The wrong combination of prevention meds or the wrong diet choice and I am constipated and bloated or having to run to the bathroom constently. Talk about having too much on your plate...the LAST thing I want or need is for my sex life to be screwed up! My poor Husband has enought to deal with just being married to me all these years. He is Amazing, always supportive, loving, understanding and eqivalent to a private nurse when I am "sick" AGAIN. He deserves some serious consideration, lol. Anyway, I get in this site and see the "vaginal Atrophy" comment and think...could it be? I find out it is NOT just me or my dehydration issues, I am having the same problems you are all. The Premarin creme has softened things up some and sex is sometimes possible but I am going to call my GYN tomorrow and ask about the ESTRING. I have been using moisterizing lotions and cremes on the external vaginal area just to relieve the dry, itchy, painful skin so I can walk and not cry all the time from the misery of it. Seriously. Thank God I stumbled in here, Thank you all for opening up and discussing this issue so I could find out not only What is wrong but maybe What to do about it! And Thank God for the good things the internet makes possible.

I DID have the same tightening pressure in the head when I wake up bit it went away after I cut out my overindulgence in tea and coffee. I still DO wake up around 3 am. sometimes, I am wide-awake, and I AM ON HRT! I have noticed if I keep up with a high level of calcium -- my GYN said 1500 mg of calcium AND 800 IU of Vitamin D is also necessary. Don't forget to get the type of calcium that has magnesium, else you are really not absorbing the calcium into your system! So everything working in concert correctly has helped me get a solid night's rest but if I forget my vitamins, then the HRT has no effect... The other thing I have noticed is if I wake up hungry at the magic hour of 3 a.m... I sometimes have not eaten enough for supper (ergo the cure of those who take tryptophan)... I often skip dinner and graze on smaller items... so had to cut that out... But I am going to try that natural progesterone cream... anyway, Doc says he will only keep me on HRT for a very short period of time, wants me only to take it every other day, but I need to work for a living and I need my sleep. But like I said, it is not working that great anyway... You can try the HRT for a short term just to see it's effect.. I remember taking two pills the first night and it knocked me out and proved that it was a key piece of the puzzle. I went to a sleep seminar not too long ago when it first started happening to me at age 53, and when the speaker asked for a raise of hands for a) who is under stress then b) who can't fall asleep and c) who is menopausal, man, the hands that went up was astounding.. I then realized this is biological and definitely related to the whole hormonal complex..... of course, it pays to stay as calm as possible as pointed out.. perhaps your headache is related to a bit of panic? At the very least if it continues, ask for a blood pressure check... be well